Sunday, April 15, 2012

The year was 1912...early spring....a young Mother with 4 little children is preparing to leave her home in Europe to meet her husband in Canada.....he had gone on a year earlier to begin breaking land and build a home on the homestead provided by the Canadian government in a place with a very foreign sounding name...Saskatchewan...her father-in-law was traveling with her, to help with the children...
She planned to leave in March, in time for the spring thaw in her new country...she'd be able to plant a garden....she contacted an agent who arranged passages, and is told that a big new ship would be sailing in March, and there would be lots of parties on it's maiden voyage...she laughs at that idea...not too much partying to be done with 4 small kids!...
However, the maiden departure of the ship was delayed...there was a collision of a White Star sister ship, the Olympic, with a Royal Navy cruiser Hawke, and workers were diverted to deal with those repairs...the new date for departure of the Titanic was April, instead of March, so there was a change and their passage was arranged on the Ascania, a much smaller ship, and off they sailed in March, 1912...she was very seasick on the voyage and thinking it was a sickness unto death, asked the captain what would become of her if she died...."Throw you overboard, Ma'm" was the reply...she didn't, and they arrived safely in Canada.
The young Mom was my Grandmother...what a lady she was! She and my Grandpa raised 10 children, and welcomed many visitors to their humble home. I think that had she sailed on the Titanic, she likely would not have survived, as they would have been in third class where statistics say the survival rate was very low. (I hate seeing the part in the movie when the gates to the lower decks were locked!!)
Today Sandi is hosting a special Titanic tea, and I am choosing to participate in memory of my Grandma.

Grandma's shawl is on a chair in the background. The nickel Ray-O-Vac lamp they used is on the table.

I made some scones, and I'll serve them with a slice of Irish Dubliner cheese.After all, Titanic had ties to Ireland.. we will also have strawberry jam (my Grandma always used wild strawberries for her jam..)

The gold and ivory teapot, cream and sugar, and tray are wedding gifts my Mom received in 1937.

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Monday, April 2, 2012

It's been a while since I've joined Sandi for a tea party. With a Spring-Easter theme in mind, I've set out a few things... sorry, I don't have my baking done yet, but I'll hurry and get it done before you all arrive....

Would you like the tulip mug, or the asparagus one?

I thought I would use my bird teapot, which my Mom gave me, as it seems just right for this season...

The lacy thistle placemats from our trip to Scotland will do nicely....as will the pretty polka dot plates (I hear polka dots are "in")

In case we need a little spoonful of jam, I'm getting the jam pot ready...

The bunny keeps watch from his spot under the dome...

I like tulips, and these orange ones are so bright...

Isn't Easter a wonderful time??...and the reason we celebrate is the BEST of all!!